M-Powerment Care, a student-founded non-profit organisation rooted in the University of Pretoria (UP) community, has been nominated for the Community Service Award at the 2025 South African Heroes Awards.
Founded in 2021 during the aftermath of COVID-19, the organisation began with a handful of UP students that distributed just 300 sandwiches to homeless people. From those humble beginnings, it has grown into an initiative focused on community upliftment, social impact, and education, with students volunteering their time and resources to respond to the needs of the communities.
The organisation’s motto is captured in its guiding belief – “The need is the call to responsive action”. For the founding students, witnessing hunger, educational barriers, and social struggles in their communities was enough to inspire collective action. “Small acts of kindness, when done collectively, can make a huge difference,” Similo Siyenga, a member of the society, explained.
This year’s nomination is seen as both humbling and affirming for the group. “We don’t do what we do for recognition, but knowing that the work of M-Powerment Care is being seen and acknowledged is incredibly encouraging,” Siyenga said. “It’s a reminder that the long hours, the challenges, and the sacrifices are worth it because lives are being touched.”
For the UP community, the recognition highlights the university’s role not only as an academic space but also a hub for future change makers. “It sends a strong message that service is an integral part of student life,” Siyenga emphasised.
Most recently, the organisation remains committed to expanding its education support programmes, community outreach initiatives such as food relief and skills development, and building sustainable partnerships. “Award or no award, our mission stays the same: to serve,” Siyenga said.
The team is now calling on UP students and supporters to help bring the award home by voting. You can do this by sending the following message to 47439: SAHA 033 (R3 per SMS, free SMSes don’t apply).
“By voting M-Powerment Care, you’re not just voting for us, you’re voting for the spirit of service, community, and student-led impact.”
